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Monday, October 24, 2016

Helping the Homeless Veteran

By Bill Fortune

Every year the Red Cross participates in the Homeless Veterans Stand Down at a variety of locations across Colorado and Wyoming. At those events, the Red Cross has provided a variety of items and resources to help our homeless veterans.

Red Cross volunteer Allison Smith has a big smile as she helps
veteran Robert Esquibel check out his comfort kit bag at the
Stand Down for Colorado Homeless Veterans in Colorado Springs
on 10/18/16. (Photo by Joe Coleman/American Red Cross)

Homeless Veteran Stand Down events are held each year in Colorado and Wyoming and each year the number of participating agencies and organizations providing services and resources has grown.

L to R- United States Air Force Msgt Robert M. Henneman watches as veteran Dennis Howk accepts a Red Cross comfort kit bag from volunteer Thea Wasche at the Stand Down for Colorado Homeless Veterans in Colorado Springs on 10/18/16. Sgt Henneman was Mr. Howk's "Battle Buddy" at the event. (Photo by Joe Coleman/American Red Cross)

Recently, the Red Cross provided services and resources at the Colorado Springs Stand Down where volunteers met with veterans to provide personal hygiene items and clothing. The supplies were provided through the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program that has supported service members, their families and veterans for more than 100 years. More than 100 homeless veterans were supported at the event in Colorado Springs with 86 additional people, not considered homeless, who came in to meet with the various agencies. According to John Crousoe from the El Paso County Homeless Veterans Coalition the number of homeless veterans attending the stand down in Colorado springs decreased this year over last year. "That's a good sign," Crousoe said. "It means we are making a difference.

Homeless Veterans Stand Downs were held in Pueblo, Durango as well as Colorado Springs this year with three more events coming up in Cheyenne (10/27), Grand Junction (10/28) and Fort Collins (11/4).

If you would like to learn more about the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces program visit redcross.org/SAF.